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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Stretching the Imi
        
(Message started by: ShaneM on Aug 27^th, 2006, 8:08am)

Title: Stretching the Imi
Post by ShaneM on Aug 27^th, 2006, 8:08am

I am trying to stretch my imitrex supply as much as possible. The tip works for half the dose, but has anyone gotten relief at taking a third the dose?

Shane

Title: Re: Stretching the Imi
Post by chewy on Aug 27^th, 2006, 8:14am

Thats what I use (1/3) at early onset.

Title: Re: Stretching the Imi
Post by E-Double on Aug 27^th, 2006, 2:50pm

I've aborted w/ literally a "squirt"

Title: Re: Stretching the Imi
Post by BB on Aug 27^th, 2006, 8:58pm

My DH uses 1/4 and can abort within 2 mins if he uses it early.

To make it easier to gauge, once you peel the sticker off to see the solution inside the needle, use a marker pen to mark 1/2 way then divide into 1/2 again.

Then when you use it just push the plunger to the corresponding mark.

It works really well but you need to get in early, past a KIP 8 and it wont work so well even at full dose.

PFDAN wishes to you.

Annette

Title: Re: Stretching the Imi
Post by BlueMeanie on Aug 27^th, 2006, 9:03pm

1/3 works just as good, but for me the next visit comes back too soon, so I stick with 1/2 instead.

Title: Re: Stretching the Imi
Post by big_guy on Aug 29^th, 2006, 5:40am

I have been using 1/2 with the same results as a full shot. This morning the pain was building really fast and I was having trouble managing the tiny little syringe. It was the second half and had a large air bubble from where the plunger had backed up. By the time I got the air out I had managed to waste part of the shot and had maybe 1/3 or a little less. It did not work early as well as the 1/2 had been working. Knocked a 7-8 back to a 3-4 which with large amounts of coffee has finally eased.
I don't like using that tiny little glass thing twice. I want to get some syringes to divide my shots before I need them. Has anyone been able to get syringes and how did you do it?

Wishing all PFDAN

Big Guy

Title: Re: Stretching the Imi
Post by jmorgan52 on Aug 29^th, 2006, 5:57am

I too have killed plenty of them with 1/3 but as Blue experienced they came back sooner than with 1/2.

I used the tip for the first time during my last cycle and it saved me meds but I do somehow think I get longer lasting relief from the full dose, but it's hard to quantify this.

As for the bubble. I found that if I pointed the needle up for a minute the bubble almost disappeared. If you are very careful you can press just slowly and hard enough to just get a dribble you don't waste any.

And the injection is not going into an artery so I don't think a small air bubble will do any harm, might just make it slightly more tender? - but take this comment under advisement

John

Title: Re: Stretching the Imi
Post by BB on Aug 29^th, 2006, 6:16am

The little air bubble doesnt hurt at all as its going to just under the skin, not into any blood vessel. Afterall if you load the pen and use the full dose, you get the air bubble then anyway.

Annette

Title: Re: Stretching the Imi
Post by big_guy on Aug 29^th, 2006, 6:21am

Thanks

I will keep working at it. It's just hard manage anything when the Beast is ripping your eye out

Big Guy

Title: Re: Stretching the Imi
Post by chopmyheadoff on Aug 29^th, 2006, 6:31am

on 08/27/06 at 14:50:27, E-Double wrote:

I've aborted w/ literally a "squirt"

thought this thread was about imitrex ;;D

Title: Re: Stretching the Imi
Post by big_guy on Aug 29^th, 2006, 6:33am

I've been afraid of that one!!!

Big Guy

Title: Re: Stretching the Imi
Post by jmorgan52 on Aug 29^th, 2006, 8:45am

I forgot to mention this (its been quite a while since I needed imigran), but as regards the standard auto-injector vial re-use:

I never have problems with the 1st partial dose getting the needle in. the 2nd dose the needle is not quite so sharp but still is ok. The 3rd time it does seem harder to push in. I reckon a 4th time is pushing it hard (literally).

I have never had any lasting soreness at the inj site or using the "tip". Taking special care not to bend the needle when re-inserting it back into the case is the bit to watch for.

I know some use insulin needles but I personally would find that too much trouble. Even if it is harder to inject with split doses I would still use the standard autoinjector needle.

Title: Re: Stretching the Imi
Post by Tiannia on Aug 29^th, 2006, 5:42pm

on 08/29/06 at 08:45:04, jmorgan52 wrote:

Same exp here. I luckly have not had to use shots for almost 8 months now. But when I lived off them, I would use 3rds, unless it was a really bad hit Kip8+. Then I would use half. But it is true that the needle gets duller each time you use it.

Hell I even had a care pcackage sent to me with vials for needles, but I did not have needles. I have actually refilled the auto injector vial and used it again. Not that i recommend it, but when push comes to shove you do what you have to do. :-/

Title: Re: Stretching the Imi
Post by BB on Aug 29^th, 2006, 10:51pm

If you inject at a slight angle instead of perpendicular and with the bevel side of the needle upwards, it will enter the skin much better and will not become blunt, even when its used for the 4th time.

Annette

Title: Re: Stretching the Imi
Post by chopmyheadoff on Aug 31^st, 2006, 7:27am

how the hell did you refill the autoinjector [smiley=huh.gif] [smiley=huh.gif]

Title: Re: Stretching the Imi
Post by stacy3675 on Oct 23^rd, 2006, 1:53pm

why are we stretching doses? how much does your insurance cover?? I get 8 boxes of the 6mg vials and each box has 6 in it plus 2 boxes of nasal, and pills.?? wo do you all have? maybe thats why i have extra.

Title: Re: Stretching the Imi
Post by roy21302 on Oct 23^rd, 2006, 3:01pm

on 08/31/06 at 07:27:02, chopmyheadoff wrote:

how the hell did you refill the autoinjector [smiley=huh.gif] [smiley=huh.gif]

I am with Chop here, how do you split up the dose if your using an auto injector, must have missed the class on this one. Any advice any one???
Cheers Roy [smiley=huh.gif]

must just say I am not using many, now I found O2

Title: Re: Stretching the Imi
Post by Jonny on Oct 23^rd, 2006, 3:07pm

on 10/23/06 at 15:01:08, roy21302 wrote:

I am with Chop here, how do you split up the dose if your using an auto injector, must have missed the class on this one. Any advice any one???

Click on the "Imitrex tip" on the left.

Title: Re: Stretching the Imi
Post by jon019 on Oct 23^rd, 2006, 3:53pm

on 08/29/06 at 05:40:00, big_guy wrote:

I don't like using that tiny little glass thing twice. I want to get some syringes to divide my shots before I need them. Has anyone been able to get syringes and how did you do it?

Big Guy

Hi Big Guy

For my first fill of trex script my neuro wrote out 4 mg stat dose pen. At the pharmacy (Costco) they offered the vials without me asking (thought the doc had to write script that way). Same price too (well, at least the copay). I figured what the heck, more doses, same stuff, same price, "Oh yeah, I'll take it". Next problem, no syringes. Now in past, when I asked for syringes in anticipation of someday needing them for this, every pharmacy asked for my script, without which they would not supply (this is Wa state by the way). This time when I asked, they asked what kind? I was unprepared and had to look at a whole rack of insulin types and guess which would be best. Chose the fine needle, 1/2" , 1 ml capacity. Since learned I should have gone with the 1/4", but then, just stick it in half way so no big deal.
Had to get a box of 100 and I really pray won't need that many for a LONG time. Anyway, if you have problem getting some, PM me an address and I will share on the house.

Hi Stacy,

quote

why are we stretching doses? how much does your insurance cover?? I get 8 boxes of the 6mg vials and each box has 6 in it plus 2 boxes of nasal, and pills.?? wo do you all have? maybe thats why i have extra.

unquote

What kind of script do you have that gets you that?!? Did you request this from your Doc? Would love to get a Zomig script like that.

From reading here, not from experience, there are several reasons for "stretching"

insurance issues

out of pocket cost

side effects reduction

long term effects reduction

This is powerful stuff. Why take more than you need. At least that's the way I look at it.

Regards

Jon

Title: Re: Stretching the Imi
Post by Barry_T_Coles on Oct 24^th, 2006, 3:10am

If some one wants to PM me a pic of these syringe’s I’m sure I can come up with a way to easily measure doses into half & quarter.
I’ve done this before with the large horse syringe for mixing paint shades; by using a hollow tube like a ball point pen outer split in half & cut to size and placed over the shaft of the plunger.
You then only need to push the plunger until it comes to rest against this blank stopper.
Some measurement would help as well, IE the thickness of the plunger shaft and the length at full.

Cheers
Barry